Pitkin County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.0 | 16,640 people · 60th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Pitkin County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.0 — 2891st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Colorado, it ranks 60th of 64 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pitkin County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 71.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 71.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 90
Rent-to-Income Ratio 76
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Housing Cost Burden 59.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 77
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 37
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 79
Consumer Credit Distress 12.7
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 37
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 5
Structural Poverty 5.0
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 5
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pitkin County
Pitkin County, CO 27.0 Healthy —
Mesa County, CO 46.1 Normal +19.1
Lake County, CO 42.1 Normal +15.1
Garfield County, CO 38.3 Normal +11.3
Eagle County, CO 34.4 Healthy +7.4
Chaffee County, CO 32.8 Healthy +5.8
Gunnison County, CO 32.4 Healthy +5.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pitkin County
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy -0.0
Mahaska County, IA 26.9 Healthy -0.1
Park County, WY 26.9 Healthy -0.1
Millard County, UT 27.1 Healthy +0.1
Trempealeau County, WI 27.1 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Pitkin County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Pitkin County

Find an Attorney

Colorado Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Colorado Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 303-831-8000

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Pitkin County residents at no cost.

Colorado Legal Services 303-837-1313 (Denver); 1-866-529-6257 (statewide)
Colorado Volunteer Lawyer Resource (CVLR) 303-722-0300
Colorado Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 303-831-8000 (Denver); 1-800-332-6736 (statewide)

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Colorado →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Pitkin County, Colorado?

    Pitkin County has a County Distress Index score of 27.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,891st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 60th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pitkin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pitkin County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 71.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Pitkin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pitkin County (27.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mesa County, CO (46.1); Lake County, CO (42.1); Garfield County, CO (38.3).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Pitkin County's score of 27.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Pitkin County's CDI score?

    Pitkin County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Pitkin County?

    Pitkin County, Colorado has a population of approximately 16,640 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.